Obituary of Francis Fischer

Services for Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Francis L. ("Hap") Fischer, 80, will be held 3:00 pm on Monday, October 10, 2011 at Greenlawn Funeral Home, Leesburg Road, with burial following at Greenlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be at Greenlawn Funeral Home on Sunday, October 9, 2011 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Command Sergeant Major Fischer passed away on Friday, October 7, 2011. Command Sergeant Major Fischer was predeceased by his wife, Normalee ("Lee") Fischer. Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late Francis and Anna Fischer. A 28 year Army Veteran, he served in Japan, Europe and the U.S. with the 11th Airborne Division. He saw combat in the Korean and Vietnam wars. In Korea, he served with the 2nd Infantry Division and in the Vietnam war with the Vietnamese paratroopers ("The Red Hats"). His 17 awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, and the Master Parachutist Badge. He also retired from Miller Brothers Giant Tire Service where he was employed as a salesman. He was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 402 and was also an original member of the Palmetto Shag Club. He continued serving the military after retirement by volunteering at the Columbia Airport USO Center. Surviving are sons, Robert F. Fischer of Overland Park, Kansas, Jack L. Fischer of The Colony, Texas; daughters, Barbara (James Howell) Reese of Horrell Hill; Janet (Bear) Owings of Lake Wylie, South Carolina; six granddaughters, Melissa (Karl) Cruthirds; Carrie Reese, Amy Fischer, Jamie Fischer, Courtney Lucas and Alexandra Owings; and grandsons, Josh Fischer and Michael Lucas. He was predeceased by his grandson, Scott Fischer. He is survived by his sisters, Verna (Dick) Rohe of Crivitz, Wisconsin; Pat (Garth) Fahrbach of Alberquerque, New Mexico; Mary Ann Scherer of Williamsburg, Virginia; Donna Wilson of Canon City, Colorado; and brother Gerry Fischer of Greenville, Wisconsin and sister in-law, Joan Fischer, of Appleton, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Wounded Warriors, Fort Jackson chapter through the Fort Jackson Soldier and Family Center.